The North Face Double-Track awarded “Gear of the Year” by Outside

SAN LEANDRO, California—April 25, 2011— The North Face, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, today announced The North Face Double-Track running shoe was awarded “Gear of the Year” by Outside magazine. The Double-Track, new for 2011, is a stable, well-cushioned trail running shoe that doesn’t sacrifice comfort for the protection and durability customers expect.

Outside magazine’s Buyer’s Guide features the latest and greatest of outdoor product and gear, as the ultimate guide for outdoor enthusiasts. Outside’s running shoe testing team, made up of 25 experienced runners, put 24 of the best new trail running shoes through the paces on a wide variety of trail types and conditions.

“Just about everybody loved this shoe,” said Buyer’s Guide Editor Sam Moulton. “It was light and fast enough for high-tempo workouts on pavement. But, thanks in part to a lightweight and flexible rock plate, it was just armored enough to handle rocky and rooty trails.”

The Double-Track features X-Domeâ„¢ Cradle support with an integrated medial post to correct overpronation. Cradle technology provides high-impact cushioning, stabilization and rebound upon heel strike. Built on The North Face’s Terrain Harnessâ„¢ platform, the shoe allows for moderate support on a variety of surfaces. To protect against stone bruising, an X-2 dual-density cushioned EVA midsole is combined with ESS Snake Plate technology. Tenaciousâ„¢ Grip high-abrasion outsole with off-road sticky rubber provides a smooth, consistent trail ride.

“With the Double-Track we took great care to combine the very best aspects of our shoes from past generations with new engineering techniques to create a light weight trail running shoe that isn’t light on features, protection or comfort,” said J.P. Borod, footwear product director for The North Face. “We are thrilled the Double-Track stood out during Outside’s intensive testing process. Having the Double-Track recognized by such a core group of users is truly an honor.”

For more than 40 years The North Face athlete team has defined the limits of what is humanly possible, and continually works with Research, Design & Development, creating innovative designs that push new technologies and inspire cutting-edge products. The North Face Running Team includes Dean Karnazes, Diane Van Deren, Lizzy Hawker, Kami Semick, Nikki Kimball, Tracy Garneau, Sebastien Chaigneau, Michael Wardian, Hal Koerner and Tsuyoshi Kaburaki.

The Outside spring and summer Buyer’s Guide not only highlights the very best in adventure gear, from sports equipment, tools, and gadgets to footwear, outerwear, and sunglasses, but also calls out the best values in each class. It will be on newsstands all summer, from April 26 to September 27. Plus, new this year, the Summer Buyer’s Guide will be available to purchase as an iPad app from iTunes.

See The North Face Single-Track in action and purchase at www.thenorthface.com
Check out Outside magazine at www.outsidemag.com
See a preview of all 2011 Spring/Summer Gear of the Year Winners here.

About The North Face®
The North Face, a division of VF Outdoor, Inc., was founded in 1968. Headquartered in San Leandro, California, the company offers the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished climbers, mountaineers, snowsport athletes, endurance athletes, and explorers. The company’s products are sold in specialty mountaineering, backpacking, running, and snowsport retailers, premium-sporting goods retailers and major outdoor specialty retail chains.